Put off stage in audition (4)
I believe the answer is:
faze
'put off' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'stage in audition' is the wordplay.
'stage' becomes 'phase' (both can mean a part or period of something).
'in audition' shows a homophone (sound like) (audition can mean hearing).
'phase' is a homophone of 'FAZE'.
(Other definitions for faze that I've seen before include "Throw from" , "Put off" , "Disturb, disconcert" , "Fluster, daunt" , "Shake" .)